The Giant Awakes: Brazil

Abstract

Brazil stands at the threshold of what may be a new epoch in her history. A high tide of nationalism char acterized the November 1960 presidential elections, and in quietude prevails in many quarters in Brazil and the United States with respect to the national and international policies of the new president who took office in Brazil early in 1961. Many momentous social changes underlie the social ferment and demand for change currently prevailing throughout the Brazilian half of the South American continent. First, popu lation is increasing at the rate of 2.5 per cent per annum, and the rate itself is rising. Each year there are about 1,700,000 more Brazilians on December 31 than there were on January 1. Second, this population is concentrating in cities and towns to an unprecedented degree, due largely to the migration of people from the rural districts. All the cities literally are bursting at their seams. Third, the problems of living in inadequately supplied urban centers weigh heavily on large segments of the Brazilian population. Fourth, for many reasons, the aspira tions of Brazil's people are rising more rapidly than their levels of achievement, thus the gap between the standard of living and the level or plane of living is increasing. This means that the area of frustration is broadening. Fifth, shortages exist in Brazil of almost everything needed in a modern, urban, and industrialized society.